Tiger vs. Leopard — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 1, 2023
A tiger is the largest wild cat with a coat of vertical stripes, while a leopard is smaller with rosette-shaped spots.
Difference Between Tiger and Leopard
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Tigers are distinctive for their thick, orange fur with bold black stripes and a muscular build. Leopards possess a more slender body and are recognized by their yellow-gold fur with smaller black rosettes and spots.
While tigers are usually solitary except during mating season, leopards can often be found both alone and in groups. Tigers prefer habitats such as dense forest and grassland, whereas leopards are more adaptable, ranging from savannas to rainforests.
The tiger, being the larger of the two, can weigh up to 660 pounds, with the leopard weighing considerably less, up to 200 pounds. This size difference affects their hunting strategies: tigers can take down larger prey, whereas leopards often hunt smaller animals.
Tigers are powerful swimmers and often inhabit territories rich in water bodies. In contrast, leopards are skilled climbers, using trees for surveillance and to safeguard their catch.
Leopards are found across sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Asia, and the Russian Far East, but tigers are now mainly found in isolated pockets of Asia, primarily in India, Russia, and Southeast Asia.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Larger and heavier
Smaller and lighter
Fur Pattern
Vertical stripes
Rosette-shaped spots
Habitat
Prefer water-rich forests/grassland
Adaptable, including savannas/trees
Behavior
Mostly solitary
Solitary, but can be seen in groups
Distribution
Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Far East
Compare with Definitions
Tiger
Biggest of the big cats.
The Siberian tiger is the largest subspecies of tiger.
Leopard
Spotted big cat.
The leopard's coat allows it to blend into the dappled light of the forest.
Tiger
Large striped cat.
The Bengal tiger is known for its majestic presence.
Leopard
Widespread wild cat.
Leopards are one of the most geographically widespread of the big cats.
Tiger
Endangered species.
Conservation efforts are essential for the remaining tiger populations.
Leopard
Tree-climbing feline.
A leopard can carry twice its body weight up a tree.
Tiger
Symbol of strength.
The tiger is often seen as a symbol of strength in various cultures.
Leopard
Adaptable hunter.
The leopard changes its hunting tactics based on the environment.
Tiger
Solitary predator.
The tiger roamed the jungle in search of prey.
Leopard
The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the five extant species in the genus Panthera, a member of the cat family, Felidae. It occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, in some parts of Western and Central Asia, Southern Russia, and on the Indian subcontinent to Southeast and East Asia.
Tiger
The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest living cat species and a member of the genus Panthera. It is most recognisable for its dark vertical stripes on orange-brown fur with a lighter underside.
Leopard
A large wild cat (Panthera pardus) of Africa and southern Asia, having either tawny fur with dark rosettelike markings or black fur.
Tiger
A large carnivorous feline mammal (Panthera tigris) of Asia, having a tawny coat with transverse black stripes.
Leopard
Any of several similar felines, such as the cheetah or the snow leopard.
Tiger
Any of various similar wild felines, such as the jaguar, mountain lion, or lynx.
Leopard
(Heraldry) A lion in side view, having one forepaw raised and the head facing the observer.
Tiger
A person regarded as aggressive, audacious, or fierce.
Leopard
Panthera pardus, a large wild cat with a spotted coat native to Africa and Asia, especially the male of the species (in contrast to leopardess).
Tiger
Panthera tigris, a large predatory mammal of the cat family, indigenous to Asia.
Leopard
(inexact) A similar-looking, large wild cat named after the leopard.
Tiger
A male tiger; as opposed to a tigress.
Leopard
The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), a large wild cat native to Asia.
Tiger
(heraldry) A representation of a large mythological cat, used on a coat of arms.
Leopard
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), a large wild cat native to Asia.
Tiger
A leopard.
Leopard
(heraldry) A lion passant guardant.
Tiger
A relatively small country or group of countries with a fast-growing economy.
Leopard
Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Phalanta, having black markings on an orange base.
Tiger
(obsolete) A servant in livery, who rides with his master or mistress.
Leopard
A large, savage, carnivorous mammal (Felis leopardus). It is of a yellow or fawn color, with rings or roselike clusters of black spots along the back and sides. It is found in Southern Asia and Africa. By some the panther (Felis pardus) is regarded as a variety of leopard.
Tiger
A person who is very athletic during sexual intercourse.
Leopard
The pelt of a leopard
Tiger
(figurative) A ferocious, bloodthirsty and audacious person.
Leopard
Large feline of African and Asian forests usually having a tawny coat with black spots
Tiger
A kind of growl or screech, after cheering.
Three cheers and a tiger
Leopard
Nocturnal carnivore.
At dusk, the leopard set out to hunt.
Tiger
A pneumatic box or pan used in refining sugar.
Tiger
A tiger moth in the family Arctiidae.
Tiger
A tiger beetle.
Tiger
Any of the three Australian species of black-and-yellow striped dragonflies of the genus Ictinogomphus.
Tiger
A tiger butterfly in tribe Danaini, especially subtribe Danaina
Tiger
A final shouted phrase, accompanied by a jump or outstretched arms, at the end of a cheer.
Tiger
A very large and powerful carnivore (Felis tigris) native of Southern Asia and the East Indies. Its back and sides are tawny or rufous yellow, transversely striped with black, the tail is ringed with black, the throat and belly are nearly white. When full grown, it equals or exceeds the lion in size and strength. Called also royal tiger, and Bengal tiger.
Tiger
Fig.: A ferocious, bloodthirsty person.
As for heinous tiger, Tamora.
Tiger
A servant in livery, who rides with his master or mistress.
Tiger
A kind of growl or screech, after cheering; as, three cheers and a tiger.
Tiger
A pneumatic box or pan used in refining sugar.
Tiger
A fierce or audacious person;
He's a tiger on the tennis court
It aroused the tiger in me
Tiger
Large feline of forests in most of Asia having a tawny coat with black stripes; endangered
Common Curiosities
Where do tigers live?
Tigers mainly live in Asia's forests and grasslands.
What is a leopard?
A leopard is a big cat famous for its rosette-patterned coat.
How can I identify a leopard?
Leopards have golden-yellow fur with distinctive dark spots and rosettes.
How can I identify a tiger?
Look for large, muscular cats with orange fur and black stripes.
Where do leopards live?
Leopards inhabit various environments, from African savannas to Asian forests.
Are tigers endangered?
Yes, most tiger subspecies are classified as endangered.
What is a tiger?
A tiger is the largest cat species known for its striped fur.
What do tigers eat?
Tigers are carnivorous and usually hunt large ungulates.
How many tiger subspecies are there?
There are currently recognized as six tiger subspecies.
What do leopards eat?
Leopards have a varied diet but typically hunt smaller prey than tigers.
Are tigers bigger than leopards?
Yes, tigers are significantly larger and heavier than leopards.
Can leopards climb trees?
Yes, leopards are excellent climbers and often rest in trees.
How many leopard subspecies are there?
There are about nine recognized leopard subspecies.
Do leopards live alone?
Leopards are typically solitary but can be seen in groups occasionally.
Do tigers and leopards share habitats?
They can share habitats, but often occupy different ecological niches to avoid direct competition.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
